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THE JUDGMENT OF GOD 


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THE JUDGMENT 
OF GOD 

AN HISTORICAL LITTLE 
NOVEL 

BY 

J. RUSSELL ^ > 

-•i * 




THIS STORY DKALS WITH THE) TAK- 
ING OF JERUSALEM BY THE 
CHRISTIANS 



NEW YORK : 

THE BOOK PUBLISHING HOUSE 

P. O. Box 233, Branch Madison Sq. 



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COPYRIGHT 1903, BY 

THE BOOK PUBLISHING HOUSE, NEW YORK- 
INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT SECURED. 

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 


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THE JUDGMENT OF GOD 


On the Spanish side of 
the Pyrenees not far from 
the ridge of mountains 
known in Cataluna as the 
“Coll de Nuria,’’ flourished 
early, in the twelfth cen- 
tury a medium-sized vil- 
lage called Ern, some ves- 
tiges of which still exist. 
Count Guillen, governor 
at that time of the provin- 
ces of Urgel and Cerdena, 
both tributary to Barcelona, 
had chosen this place for 
his permanent abode; a 


THE JUDGMENT 


point desirable not only 
for its pleasant situation, 
but also on account of the 
confidence with which it 
inspired his vassals who 
had nothing to fear from 
the Mussulmans, since the 
latter were defeated in the 
Battle of Bellevert. 

The first faint rays of a 
serene summer morning 
revealed the figure of a 
youthful cavalier among 
the ruins of a hermitage. 
His aspect proclaimed him 
a warrior. vSome appoint- 
ment, doubtless, accounted 


OF GOD 


for his presence there ; for 
now and again he scaled 
the crumbling walls, and 
after a minute survey of 
his surroundings, descended 
exclaiming mournfully, 
N . , noth ing ’ ’ 

Three times his keen 
eyes searched the forest 
paths, and then as though 
convinced that it was use- 
less to tarry longer, he 
walked musingly toward 
his horse which was graz- 
ing near the ruins. 

‘‘Nothing!’’ he repeated 
with another earnest glance 


3 


THE JUDGMENT 


in the direction of the 

forest. I have lost all 

yes, all ! For her failure 
to keep this appointment 
is proof of the indifference 
with which she regards 
me.” His voice was husky 
and a tempest of emotion 
convulsed his features. 

Mounting, he continued 
aloud. ‘‘The last one ! — 
Farewell, beloved country; 
if I had to struggle only 
against the perfidy of 
Lanuza, I would never 
abandon thee; but my 
heart is breaking for the 


OF GOD 


faithless Almodia.” 

And swiftly as an arrow 
the young horseman de- 
parted. His last words 
were lost upon the wind, 
and only a mournful Adios 
floated back. 

A few rods distant, the 
rider suddenly drew rein, 
attracted by a figure clad 
in white, which glided 
from the shelter of the 
forest. 

‘‘It is you, Almodia !” 
he exclaimed, dismounting 
hastily. “ Ah ! if you but 
knew how much I have 


5 


THE JUDGMENT 


suffered in these two hours! 
I looked for you at day- 
break and ’’ 

“ Montaner/’ interrupt- 
ed the white-robed figure, 
“ Do not waste precious 
moments in idle complain- 
ing. Lanuza knows that 
you are here, and even 
now you may fall into his 
clutches. Hasten to the 
wolfs cave and wait for 
me there. I have some- 
thing of importance to re- 
veal to you. “ I go, Al- 
modia, because your will 
is my law.’' 


6 


OF GOD 


Again the cavalier rode 
like the wind, and was 
soon lost to view on the 
winding road. 

II 

On the side of the lofty 
Nurian highlands is an ex- 
tensive cavern known only 
to the inhabitants of the 
province, for its entrance 
is concealed by dense 
foliage. They called it 
the “ Cave of the wolf,” 
because, according to the 
Shephard’s tradition, it 
served as the lair of a pre- 
cious wolf which long 


7 


OF GOD 


eluded the vigilance of 
wary huntsmen. 

Montaner and Almodia 
were seated at the foot of 
a rock within the cave. 

‘‘ Alas,” the young girl 
was saying, “will your cruel 
doubts ever cease?” 

“Forgive me, Almodia 
mia,” replied the cavalier 
humbly, “if the intensity of 
my love fills by brain with 
wild doubts when you are 
not with me at the ap- 
p ointed hour. But tell 
me,” he added after an in- 
stant, “how did Lanuza, 


8 


THE JUDGMENT 


learn our trysting-place ? ’’ 
“ I have reason to be- 
lieve that he has bribed 
our confident, Ramon, with 
gifts ; for last night I saw 
them conversing in confi- 
dential whispers/' 

‘‘ Ramon !" cried Mon- 
taner in surprise, “our faith- 
ful Ramon ! Impossible ! 
Ramon a traitor ? But no 
one else was aware of our 
projected interview and — " 
Silence succeeded the 
warrior's words. Wrapped 
in profound meditation, he 
sat for some time with his 


9 


THE JUDGMENT 


head resting in his hands 
and his elbows supported 
upon a rock; at length he 
said: “Tell me now, Al- 
modia, the significance of 
your warning in the forest/’ 
I would spare myself a 
repetition odious in my 
ears, but the aspect of 
affairs, is so serious, Mon- 
taner, that it is imperative 
for you to hear all. Lanuza 
has defamed and persecut- 
ed you until my father has 
declared you a traitor and 
offered a reward for your 
head You thought his 


OF GOD 


hatred the effervescence 
of the old qnarrel with 
your father; but you were 
mistaken : Lanuza hates 
you because I love you/* 

“ Because you love me ? 

Does he ? 

‘‘Yes, he loves me, and 
has told me so, more than 
once. I believed that my 
frigid indifference would 
quench his ardor ; but, no. 
Last night he said : Al- 
modia, you have rejected 
the deepest affection in the 
power of mortal to offer 
you, not through any un- 


II 


THE JUDGMENT 


worthiness of mine, but on 
account of your mad pre- 
ference for that traitor, 
Montaner, upon whose 
head the Count has set a 
price. But while he treads 
the soil of Urgel or Cer- 
dena his death is certain, 
and he will soon be over- 
taken. 

Then he left me, his 
warning of an approaching 
catastrophe ringing in my 
ears. Just then a rustling 
sound attracted my atten- 
tion, the cause of which I 
ascertained to be a piece of 


12 


OF GOD 


paper that had been slipped 
under the door. Upon it 
was written : “ Montaner 
must be seized at seven to- 
morrow morning at the 
hermitage at Nuria. With- 
out pausing to consider the 
source of the communica- 
tion I went immediately 
in search of Ramon and 
found him talking with 
Lanuza. I felt confident 
that he sold our secret, 
and as neither of them 
was aware of my presence, 
I concealed myself behind 
the tapestry. But only 


13 


THE JUDGMENT 


Ramon’s voice was audible. 
‘‘ Have no fear,” he said, 
‘‘we shall accomplish it 
easily and return by eleven” 
Lanuza appeared well 
satisfied. Then I heard 
him murmur something in 
connection with your name 
and mine. I came at day- 
break to warn you, but 
fearful lest some one lurk- 
ing in ambush should de- 
tain me, I crossed the 
woods and lost my way. 
Therefore, as you see, my 
delay is explained.” 

“ Ah” replied the cava- 

i4 


OF GOD 


Her, ‘‘a cruel destiny has 
left me with nothing to 
hope but for death. That 
is all, cara mia ; God grant 
I may meet it bravely. 
Everywhere I see scaffolds 
rising to demand my life; 
the very ground yawns like 
a grave beneath my feet. 
The time was when I as- 
pired to fold you to my 
heart and call you wife. 
Then I was happy. Your 
name inspired me with 
courage, and I coveted the 
laurels of victory to crown 
your angelic brow. But, 


i5 


THE JUDGMENT 


ah ! How soon my dreams 
of fame and happiness have 
vanished. A terrible reali- 
ty points to the tomb, 
where sweet illusions are 
swallowed up in darkness. 
It was a mad audacity 
that led this poor play- 
thing of fortune to aspire 
to the hand of Count 
Guillen’s daughter. Adios 
Almodia, may heaven favor 
youwith a husband worthy 
of you.” 

The young cavalier’s 
voice was choked with 
sobs. He raised Almodia’s 

i6 


OF GOD 


hand to his lips and was 
about to hurry from the 
cave when she almost 
shriecked f ’ 

“ Stay, Montaner ! What 
will become of me if you 
abandon me? Within a few 
days my father will set out 
with ten thousand warriors 
to join Godfrey’s army in 
the conquest of Jerusalem! 
Then I shall be alone at 
the mercy of the tyrant! — 
She buried her face in her 
hands and wept bitterly, 
unable to restrain moans 
of anguish which were like 


17 


THE JUDGMENT 


sword-thrusts in the heart 
of the unhappy Montaner. 

At that moment a roar 
of pain resounded through 
the cavern, and at the en- 
trance, two eyes glowed 
like living coals. It was 
the wolf. 

The blood was flowing 
freely from a fresh wound, 
and the arrow which still 
quivered in its side render- 
ed the animal furious. 

Before the young man 
could unsheathe his sword 
the infuriated beast sprang 
toward the Count’s daugh- 

i8 


OF GOD 


ter; but Montaner inter- 
cepted the leap, and seiz- 
ing it by the throat, flung 
the creature, grasping in 
its death-struggle, at Al- 
modia’s feet. 

The girl was speechless 
with amazement for some 
time after the wolfs howls 
of agony had ceased. As 
her self-possession return- 
ed, she fixed her beautiful 
eyes shining with gratitude 
upon Montaner. 

The rapidity of his ac- 
tion had impressed her 
deeply. Death, a horrible 


19 


THE JUDGMENT 


death, had been converted 
suddenly into another vic- 
tory for her lover. In 
the young girl’s eyes, he 
no longer bore the sem- 
blance of an ordinary 
mortal ; he had become an 
invincible hero, the heaven 
appointed guardian of her 
life. 

This pleasing revery was 
soon rudely interrupted by 
the cries of the hunters in 
pursuit of the wolf. 

Almodia gave a startled 
cry as she recognized the 
soldiers of Lanuza’s guard. 


20 


OF GOD 


who, with bows curved, 
halted near the cavalier. 

‘‘ I suppose that you have 
come to slay the wolf, but 
the work is already ac- 
complished,’’ said the lat- 
ter, pointing to the lifeless 
animal whose half-opened 
eyes seemed, still, to 
threaten its pursuers. 

Montaner’s words were 
followed by a profound 
silence which lasted several 
minutes. At last, one of 
the recent comers ex- 
claimed : “ By all the Saints 
in Christendom, friends. 


21 


THE JUDGMENT 


I deserve to be made car- 
denal by our worthy mas- 
ter, Lanuza, for having led 
you into this retreat! Our 
journey has not been in 
vain ; for if I am not mis- 
taken, this gentleman be- 
fore us is the very bird we 
came to seek. Vamos Senor 
Montaner ; come along 
with us, for Senor Lanuza 
has provided excellent ac- 
comodations — ” 

Montaner, unable to re- 
strain his rage, sprang to- 
ward the speaker with 
drawn sword. The soldier 


22 


OF GOD 


receded, and instantly nine 
arrows aimed at his breast 
convinced the cavalier that 
resistance was useless. 
Moreover, to risk an en- 
counter in such close 
quarters, would be to en- 
danger the life of his adored 
Almodia. 

He faltered an instant ; 
honor forbade him to yield 
without a struggle ; but 
the safety of Count Guil- 
len’s daughter demanded 
immediate surrender. 

While these conflicting 
emotions were raging in 


23 


THE JUDGMENT 


his breast, he looked sor- 
rowfully at Almodia, who 
was contemplating the 
scene in silence. Her 
lover’s glance recalled her 
to a sense of the situation. 
With tearful eyes and 
crimson cheeks she arose 
tremblingly and took his 
hand, saying : “ Do not 

despair, Montaner ; my 
father is not cruel. I will 
kneel at his feet and bathe 
them in my tears : I will 
tell him that, to you, he 
owes his daughter’s life.” 
And withdrawing her hand 


24 


OF GOD 


she murmured a mournful 
Adios and left the cave. 
Montaner and the soldiers 
followed. 

Ill 

Two days after the im- 
prisonment of Montaner, 
two figures were seen at a 
very late hour gliding 
among the ruins of the 
hermitage at Nuria. Dense 
clouds, black as ink, ob- 
scured the heavens; zigzag 
lightning darted luridly 
across the sky, followed 
by peals of thunder which 
echoed dismally among the 


25 


THE JUDGMENT 


ruins. 

“ Senora, said one of the 
travellers, why will you 
undertake a journey at this 
unseasonable hour, with a 
storm threatening to break 
over our heads at any 
moment ?” 

“ Do not try to persuade 
me to return, Ines dear,” 
replied the other. “ I will 
never again set foot in the 
house which shelters my 
husband’s murderer. Do 
you think I fear the storm? 
No, amiga; this lightning 
which has such terrors for 


26 


OF GOD 


you, the thunder which 
threatens to uproot the 
very mountains, and the 
torrents of rain already de- 
scending upon us, are but 
admonitions of a Divine 
wrath before which La- 
nuza will some day trem- 
ble for his crimes/' 

Almodia's last words 
were cut short by a pro- 
longed peal of thunder. 
Ines urged her to seek 
shelter; she did not reply, 
but suffered herself to be 
led under a half-ruined 
arch where the two 


27 


THE JUDGMENT 


women remained for some 
time in silence, the one 
terrified by the storm, the 
other absorbed in her own 
thoughts. 

Suddenly the sound of 
footsteps caught the quick 
ear of the Count's daught- 
er. Her glance traversed 
the ruins with lightning 
rapidity; she gave a cry of 
horror, and precipitated 
herself into her friend's 
arms, shrieking: “There 
he is! There he is!" 

Ines directed a searching 
glance around her but 


28 


OF GOD 


perceived nothing. 

“I saw him, repeated 
her companion.” 

‘‘But who, Senora?” 

“That misterious soldier 
whom Lanuza employed 
to kill Montaner. It is 
he who commanded the 
force that surprised us in 
the wolfs cave. But al- 
though his gigantic stat- 
ure seems familiar, I have 
never been able to see his 
face. 

For two days he has 
been spying upon m y 
movements; and if he is 


29 


THE JUDGMENT 


not the treacherous Ram- 
on, he must be the incarn- 
ation of evil.” 

“ Holy mother,” cried 
Ines crossing herself de- 
voutly, and covering her 
face with her hands. Then, 
for a long time, nothing 
was heard but the raging 
of the tempest. 

It seemed incredible 
that those two women 
shrinkingamong the ruined 
walls, braving the discom- 
forts of that tempestuous 
night, their garments 
dreached with rain, should 


30 


OF GOD 


belong to the two most il- 
lustrious families in Cerde- 
na. A warm friendship 
had existed between them 
from infancy, and they had 
vowed never to separate. 
Ines kept her pledge. After 
Montaner's imprisonment 
Lanuza ordered him be- 
headedimmediately. Count 
Guillen was absent and 
Almodia was powerless to 
prevent the death of him 
whom she called her hus- 
band. 

The mysterious soldier 
to whom she had alluded 
31 


THE JUDGMENT 


in her conversation with 
Ines had been charged with 
the execution of Lanuza’s 
cruel order ; and taking 
possession of his victim 
securely bound and sur- 
rounded by soldiers, he 
set out for an impenetrable 
thicket on the steepest 
slope of the Nurian ridge. 

Arrived there, he com- 
manded his soldiers, to 
await his return, and ac- 
companied only by the 
prisoner plunged into the 
woods. 

Seven hours later he was 


32 


OF GOD 


relating to Lanuza how he 
had dispatched Montaner 
with his own hand, and 
thrown his body into a 
mountain gorge. 

The unwelcome news 
circulated rapidly in Ern, 
and was not long in reach- 
ing the ears of Almodia. 
Yielding to the first im- 
pulses of incontrollable 
grief, she attired herself in 
mourning and tearfully 
pleaded with Ines to ac- 
company her to a convent 
in which her aunt was abb- 
ess. Ines, employing all the 


33 


THE JUDGMENT 


persuasive power of friend- 
ship, entreated Almodia 
to abandon her decision 
but in vain; and as the 
reader is aware, the storm 
overtook them near the 
hermitage. 

The fury of the tempest 
began to abate, the clouds 
were dispersing, and the 
rumble of the thunder be- 
came fainter. Almodia 
was watching an oppor- 
tunity to continue her 
journey, screened by the 
darkness from the prying 
eyes of Lanuza’s guard; 


34 


OF GOD 


but the second appearance 
of the remarkable afore 
mentioned entity, froze 
her with horror. 

She drew nearer to In- 
es, clutching her arm con- 
vulsively and talking con- 
tinually of her bereave- 
ment. 

“It was here, Ines 
mia,’’ she said, “here in 
these ruins that Montaner 
and I pledged our love. 
But Montaner is dead, and 
this place, once so full of 
tender memories, is now 
horrible. 


35 


THE JUDGMENT 


If the same sword that 
took my husband’s life 
had but taken mine also, 
our spirits would have 
winged their flight to- 
gether, and in heaven we 
should have enjoyed the 
happiness that has been 
snatched from us here. 

But now I am con- 
demned to drag out a 
miserable existence; yes 
Ines, miserable; although 
you may not comprehend 
my meaning; because you, 
who have never loved, 
cannot conceive the bit- 


36 


OF GOD 


terness of outliving one 
dearer than life. 

Accustomed to a life of 
luxury, I am now without 
shelter over my head, 
other than this tottering 
arch, or without consol- 
ation for my misfortune 
other than death.” 

“Cristo nos favorezca!” 
cried Ines at the sound of 
a terrific crash of thunder; 
at the same time the arch 
swayed, and trembled to 
its very foundations; the 
next moment the young 
girls were prisoners amid 


37 


THE JUDGMENT 


the ruins. 

IV 

“Hello, friend Rius, 
you in Palestine? Indeed 
I little dreamed that you 
have followed the army, 
for the wounds that you 
received in the Battle of 
Bellevert were sufficient 
to leave you disabled.'' 

“Ah, you are, Fonseca?" 

“The same; who will 
remain here fighting un- 
til, at the conclusion of 
the war, we are ready to 
return to Spain." 

38 


OF GOD 


These words were ex- 
changed between two 
gentlemen who had met 
about two hundred feet 
from the walls of the 
Holy City. 

Seating themselves up- 
on the velvety turf be- 
neath the shade of a fig 
tree, they began to relate 
their adventures, but were 
immediately interrupted 
by a youth of some twenty 
years who had come di- 
rectly from the city. 

‘‘Salud, amigos; I bring 
news that cannot fail to 


39 


THE JUDGMENT 


please you. To morrow 
we set out upon the most 
dangerous expedition yet 
undertaken in this war. 

Count Guillen proud of 
his victories, but dissatisfi- 
ed with having been only 
the third, instead of the 
first, to force an entrance 
into Jerusalem when we 
assaulted the plaza, had de- 
termined to surpass the feat 
of the French generals be- 
fore retiring. You of course 
remember the famous city 
of Areas which Godfrey 
with his formidable army 


40 


OF GOD 


was unable to conquer? 
Well, to morrow our force 
of ten thousand Spaniards 
will take possession of Ar- 
eas or perish in the at- 
tempt. 

So Count Guillen has 
sworn, and you know that 
he never breaks an oath. 
But we shall have a val- 
uable and unexpected as- 
sistant; for the unknown 
soldier who accomplished 
prodigies of valor in the 
Battle of Ascalon, will ac- 
company us. He has just of- 
fered the Count his sword. 


41 


THE JUDGMENT 


on the condition that the 
latter will never ask him 
to reveal his name or raise 
his visor; and who the 
devil do you suppose he 
is”? asked Rius. ‘‘ I believe 
it is Strausberg; the un- 
fortunate Montaner’s 
friend.” 

‘‘ I have thought the 
same thing more than 
once,”replied Fonseca. 

“Well, friends” continu- 
ed the youth “I will add 
my opinion to yours, and 
I assure you, furthermore 
that Count Guillen and 


42 


OF GOD 


the other Generals think 
as we do/' 

And the three cavaliers, 
satisfied with their solution 
of the mistery of the un- 
known combatant, began 
to examine the city before 
them, each one proposing 
a different plan for the cap- 
ture of the impregnable 
Areas. 

When Guillen com- 
municated his plan to the 
other Generals, they pron- 
ounced it, a rash enter- 
prise, and some went so 
far as to call it madness. 


43 


THE JUDGMENT 


The following morning 
the Count of Urgel and 
Cerdena departed with his 
ten thousand warriors to 
crown the work of the 
Christians, routing the In- 
fidels from their last and 
most impregnable strong- 
hold. 

V 

Three weeks had elaps- 
ed since the army of Cata- 
luna had planted it stand- 
ard before the walls of 
Areas, and yet nothing 
had been achieved. On 


44 


OF GOD 


the contrary, its situation 
was one of imminent peril. 

The city was defended 
by a strong garrison, and 
without its walls, was an 
army comprising the re- 
mainder of the Infidels 
whose number was double 
that of the Spaniards. The 
latter annoyed the Christ- 
ians incessantly, now 
attacking their camp, and 
again intercepting their 
convoys. 

The entire country for 
a radius of several miles 
had been pillaged, and 


45 


THE JUDGMENT 


offered no resources what- 
ever. Among the charr- 
ed forests, the desolated 
villages, and devasted fields, 
there was hardly sufficient 
forage for the cavalry; and 
provisions becoming scarce 
in the Spanish army, the 
only course open to it, 
was to besiege the city and 
penetrate to the plaza. 

Guillen summoned the 
leaders to a council, lay- 
ing before them the ur- 
gency of the situation, 
and his resolve to attack 
the city; adding, that he 


46 


OF GOD 


preferred to perish fight- 
ing rather than become 
the jest, not only of his 
enemies, but also of the 
generals in the entire army 
of Crusaders. 

The officers applauded, 
and pledge themselves to 
triumph or die with the 
Count, and it was at length 
determined to commence 
the attack whithin three 
days. 

Count Guillen’s initial 
movement was to despatch 
a body of cavalry to force 
an entrance into the city. 


47 


THE JUDGMENT 


With inffinite difficulty 
they succeeded in burning 
one of the gates. The ef- 
forts of the besieged to 
impede the progress of the 
flames were fruitless. 

The excessive heat and 
thick clouds of smoke 
rendered it impossible for 
them to reach the wall; 
while the besiegers, prof- 
iting by the advantage, 
worked with indefatigable 
zeal under the esplanade, 
in order that they might 
quickly lower the bridge 
and cross the moat as soon 


48 


OF GOD 


as the flames subsided. 

At length the fire ceas- 
ed to rage, and at a signal 
of the bugle, the Count 
and his men rushed in 
precipitately. The form- 
er had scarcely succeeded 
in introducing a hundred 
horsemen within the walls, 
when the Moslems closed 
around the gate to inter- 
cept their passage; and 
from the two lofty towers 
beside the entrance, others 
hurled upon the bridge, 
amid showers of arrows, 
beams, and melted pitch; 


49 


THE JUDGMENT 


anything in fact, that their 
fury suggested. 

After a long struggle 
the Infidels obtained con- 
trol of the gate. The 
loyal retainers of Cataluna 
rendered frantic at sight 
of t h e ir leader's peril, 
flung themselves f r o m 
their horses and dashed 
furiously upon the imp- 
enetrable mass of Moslems. 
But their efforts were in 
vain; Guillen and his re- 
duced force were prison- 
ers within the walls. 

But while they were 


5o 


OF GOD 


Struggling to defend them- 
selves from a foe appar- 
ently as numerous as the 
sands of the sea, the un- 
known warrior, thought 
to be the valliant Straus- 
berg, to whom Guillen 
had entrusted the com- 
mand of a division, per- 
ceived the futility of striv- 
ing to control the entrance, 
so long as the defenders 
were in possession of the 
towers; and shrewdly cal- 
culating that they had ab- 
andoned the more remote 
walls to flock to the gates. 


5i 


THE JUDGMENT 


he quickly resolved to 
test his plan, and directed 
his men, armed with lad- 
ders, to a remote quarter 
of the city. 

In vain the besieged 
run to defend the abandon- 
ed wall; Strausberg is the 
first to reach the top, and 
followed by his soldiers, 
destroys, step by step, all 
that impedes their pro- 
gress. 

Encountering a huge 
heap of stones which the 
enemy had collected to 
hurl down upon the 


52 


OF GOD 


Christians, he climbs by 
means of them to a tower, 
slays the defenders, and 
tearing down the blood 
stained standard of the 
Prophet, casts into the 
ditch below, and unforls 
in its place the triumph- 
ant banner of Cataluna, 
the ensign of the cross. 

When they beheld that 
emblem of victory waving 
over the highest turret of 
the city the Spaniards took 
heart, and attacked the 
entrance with redoubled 
fury. 


53 


THE JUDGMENT 


The Musuimans rushed 
to the scene of conquest, 
but Strausberg met them 
with an unyielding force, 
and the combat was re- 
newed; until at length, 
the bridge being lowered 
across the ditch, the 
Christian army poured 
into the city, whose last 
defender fell beneath its 
sword. 

Guillen snatched from 
the jaws of death, and, in 
the end, victorious when 
he least expected it, could 
hardly believe his senses. 


54 


OF GOD 


He shed tears of joy, em- 
bracing his soldiers; and 
asking for the unknown 
cavalier to whom he owed 
his unexpected triumph, 
proclaimed him “Knight 
of the Eagle'' and Com- 
mander-in-chief of t he 
armies of Cerdena and Ur- 
gel. 

A few days later the 
Count yielded the city of 
Areas to the Crusaders 
and embarked with his 
army for Spain. 

VI 

A month had elapsed 


55 


THE JUDGMENT 


since the Count’s return to 
Puigcerda; yet in spite of 
untiring efforts to obtain 
a clue of his daughter, and 
large rewards offered for 
information concerning 
her, her disappearance re- 
mained shrouded in mist- 
ery, and her father ordered 
the Court draped in black. 

Overcome with grief, 
he had forgotten the very 
existence of the ‘‘Knight 
of the Eagle”, who was 
awakening universal cur- 
iosity. 

The latter was passing 
56 


OF GOD 


through a dense grove a 
few days after his arrival 
in Spain, when a soldier 
of gigantic stature, in 
complete armor, stepped 
up to him, and without 
raising his visor, handed 
him a letter. Strausberg 
took it and read as follows: 
Caballero: if you desire to 
learn something of su- 
preme interest to you, 
listen to the bearer of this 
paper, but on no account 
interrupt him. 

Strausberg studied the 
handwriting, but was un- 


57 


THE JUDGMENT 


able to conjeture the 
writer; and at length, 
inspecting the bearer crit- 
ically from head to foot 
he said: “Unknown friend, 
I am prepared t o hear 
whatever you have to tell 
me and I promise not to 
interrupt you” 

There upon the two 
men betook themselves to 
the refreshing shade of the 
grove where they enjoyed 
a long conversation; and 
judging from their man- 
ifestations of surprise and 
satisfaction, its subject was 
58 


THE JUDGMENT 


of vital interest. 

VII 

Every passing day found 
Count Guillen more and 
more despondent, and nev- 
er doubting but that his 
daughter was dead, as we 
have said before, he ord- 
ered his retainers to attire 
themselves in mourning 
and summoned all of the 
nobles to his palace in 
order that the funeral 
rites might be celebrated 
with due solemnity. 

In the principal salon, 
seated upon a black velv- 


59 


OF GOD 


et throne, was Count 
Guillen, and at his side, 
Lanuza, who was address- 
ing him. 

‘‘I believe, Senor'’ he 
was saying, “that none 
but the friends of Mon- 
taner have commited the 
horrible crime of taking 
your daughter’s life.” 

Upon what are your 
suspicions against Monta- 
n e r’s friends founded?” 
inquired the Count. 

“Upon what, Senor?” 
I will tell you. When 
you were absent soliciting 


6o 


THE JUDGMENT 


the permission of the 
Count of Barcelona to 
depart for the Holy Land, 
Montaner s e iz e d the 
princess and dragged her 
to the wolt’s cave. 

My faithful guard fol- 
lowed him thither, and 
despite h i s resistance, 
made him a prisoner, thus 
saving your daughter's 
honor. 

Montaner paid dearly 
for his crimes; but at the 
same time Almodia dis- 
appeared. If the traitor's 
friends had not aided him, 

6i 


OF GOD 


senor, it would have been 
impossible for him to 
seize the princess. These 
same friends, do not doubt 
it, have sacrificed your 
daughter to avenge Mon- 
taner.’’ 

‘Tt is a lie, you cow- 
ard, a lie!” cried a deep 
voice from the midst of 
the assemblage. 

Every eye was directed 
toward the speaker, who 
was none other than the 
“Night of the Eagle.” 
Availing himself of the 
privilege of his rank, he 


62 


THE JUDGMENT 


had come to the palace 
clad in his customary 
armor. With head erect, 
a black plume floating 
from his helmet he strode 
through the throng and 
stood face to face with 
Lanuza; in a voice chok- 
ing with rage he repeated: 
“It is a lie, you infamous 
villain!’' 

And then, addressing 
the Count, he added: “Se- 
nor, your daughter lives.” 

“My daughter lives.?” 
interrupted the Count, 
springing from his seat; 

63 


OF GOD 


where is she, where?’ ^ 
‘‘Calm yourself a mom- 
ent, Senor, and you shall 
know all. The unfortun- 
ate Montaner loved your 
daughter and his affection 
was reciprocated. Lanu- 
za loved her also, and in 
order to win her hand, 
persuaded you to believe 
that Montaner was plott- 
ing against you, 

You did believe it, and 
condemned to death your 
most faithful vassal, who 
had just recovered for you 
at Bellevert the crown of 


64 


THE JUDGMENT 


victory that was slipping 
from your temples. 

Montaner and Almodia 
had an appointment, and 
when surprised by the 
guard o f this infamous 
man, it had been his good 
fortune t o save your 
daughter from the fangs 
of a wolf. 

L a n u z a, pretending 
that you had declared his 
rival a traitor, instantly 
gave orders for his exec- 
ution; and your daughter, 
in order to escape the 
odious presence o f her 

^5 


OF GOD 


persecutor, took refuge 
during your absence i n 
the Convent of Villasegol. 
There you will find her, 
and she will doubtless tell 
you why she has remained 
in retirement since your 
return from Palestine. 

It is m y believe that 
she feared this vile assassin 
would persuade you t o 
promise her hand in 
marriage. Now, Count 
Guillen, you know a 1 1; 
and, now i n your pres- 
ence and with your per- 
mission, I challenge this 


66 


THE JUDGMENT 


despicable impostor, La- 
nuza, to a duel to death/' 

Mad with rage, Lanu- 
za retorted: “I know you, 
Strausberg, you traitor! 
You are Montaner's ac- 
complice, I accept your 
challenge, al though I 
know that you are only 
a low-born." 

‘‘Silence! "thundered the 
Count who feared a con- 
flict among his nobles. 
‘Silence!, all of you retire; 
and you Strausberg, and 
Lanuza, be prepared for 
the encounter within 


67 


OF GOD 


three days.’ 

The palace was instant- 
ly deserted, and the Count 
despatched his son to seek 
Almodia at the Convent 
of Villasegol. 

VIII 

On the day appointed 
for the duel, the first faint 
glimmering of dawn, 
found the inhabitants of 
Puigcerda swarming ab- 
out the Arena like bees 
about a hive. 

Everybody was discuss- 
ing the probable result 
of the “Juicio de Dios” 


68 


THE JUDGMENT 


[The Judgment of God,] 
for, according to the 
general belief, in the 
ancient times, heaven 
always preserved the life 
of him who had justice 
upon his side. 

Some were inclined in 
favor of Strausberg; others 
in favor of Lanuza. 

The blast of a trumpet 
resounded, and the mul- 
titude turned t o behold 
Lanuza wearing over his 
armor a mantle of green 
velvet embroidered i n 
silver, and mounted upon 

69 


OF GOD 


a superb black horse. 
His enormous shield, not 
ungracefully handled, bore 
beneath a radiant golden 
sun, the inscription: “al- 
ways the same.’’ 

Flourishing a heavy 
lance, h e entered the 
enclosure preceded by h i s 
second, who opened the 
gates amid the sound of 
marcial instruments. 

Almost at the same 
instant the “Knight of the 
Eagle” appeared a t the 
opposite side, mounted 
upon a fiery white steed 


70 


THE JUDGMENT 


whose mane swept the 
ground, and clad in the 
same armor which he had 
worn in his triumphant 
assault upon the walls of 
Areas. Richly wrought, 
upon his shield he display- 
ed the incomprehensible 
words: ‘‘You die by the 
hand of the dead.” 

The seconds divide the 
space; the combatants 
lower their lances, and a t 
the sound of the trump- 
ets, rush madly toward one 
another. 

Their encounter was 


71 


OF GOD 


terrible. Strausbe rg 
lurched forward i n his 
saddle and barely escaped 
a fall; his antagonist had 
already fallen. 

The Knight's lance 
had cleft Lanuza's shield, 
and penetrating his cors- 
elet, the fatal iron broke 
off, and part of it remain- 
ed lodged in his breast. 

Strausberg, rushed upon 
him with naked sword 
crying in a wild voice: 
“You die by the hand of 
the dead. Infamous imp- 
ostor. I am Montaner! — 


72 


THE JUDGMENT 


Confess your villainy or I 
shall finish the work I 
have begun/’ 

Montaner then revealed 
his countenance and a 
shout of universal joy rang 
out from the multitude. 

“Ah, you scoundrel!” 
cried Lanuza; “you owe 
your life to your treachery 
and baseness, and the 
wiles of your servant, Ra- 
mon, hwo was charged 
with your execution. I 
a m satisfied, however, 
with having caused your 
martyrdom and that o f 


73 


OF GOD 


your adored Almodia. A 
curse upon you and upon 
her!” 

And unsheathing the 
dagger which he wore 
suspended from his girdle, 
he buried it to the hilt 
in his throat. The blood 
gushed forth freely upon 
Montaner but before death 
claimed his sinful soul he 
had thrice repeated the 
malediction. 

Count Guillen arose 
and approached Montaner 
with open arms. “Noble 
youth,” h e said, “For- 


74 


OF GOD 


give the unjustice to 
which my blind confid- 
ence in this man has led 
me. I shall endeavor to 
make reparation for the 
evil that I have wrought; 
and if my daughter's hand 
is the reward you desire, 
your fidelity has proved 
you a most worthy suitor." 

Surrounded by an en- 
thusiastic multitude which 
rent the air with acclam- 
ations, they awaited the 
entrance of Almodia who 
had just arrived. 

The timid young girl 


75 


THE JUDGMENT 


was too reserved to give 
expression to her joy in the 
presence of her father; 
but Montaner, who could 
not restrain the impetuos- 
ity of his passion, caught 
Almodia in his arms and 
bestowing upon her the 
endearing epithets, belov- 
ed, betrothed, wife, he 
bore her in triumph to 
the throne room. 

But who can describe 
the exstasy of the lovers? 

Then, for the first time, 
Almodia learned from 
Montaner’s own lips the 

76 


OF GOD 


Story of his glorious vict- 
ory; and both rejoiced to 
find in Ramon instead of 
a base betrayer, a most loy- 
al and valiant servant. 

He it was, indeed, who 
had informed Lanuza of 
the lover’s appointment, 
but with excellent reasons. 
A lost letter having fallen 
into the hands of the form- 
er, t h e shrewd Ramon 
who had neither time nor 
opportunity to communicate 
with the lovers, pretended 
to sell their secret, offer- 
ing to yield Montaner in- 


LofC.a 


77 


THE JUDGMENT 


to his hands on the cond- 
ition that Lanuza would 
entrust the enterprise t o 
him alone. Lanuza then 
placed his guard at the 
disposal of Ramon who 
after thrusting a slip of 
paper under Almodia’s 
door advising her of her 
lover’s peril, hastened in 
search of Montaner while 
there was yet time for his 
escape. 

But the guard encount- 
ered the wolf, and were 
eager to pursue i t; and 
thus resulted the inop- 
78 


OF GOD 


portune seizure of Monta- 
ner. 

It was Lanuza’s believe 
that death at the hands of 
his trusted servant would be 
doubly bitter to his rival; 
therefore he readily assent- 
ted to the conditions prop- 
osed by Ramon, and i t 
was in accordance with his 
orders that the latter and 
his prisoner entered the 
thicket unaccompanied. 

There Ramon thought it 
would be an easy matter 
to save his master and re- 
veal to him what had tak- 


79 


THE JUDGMENT 


en place; but just as he 
was about to speak, he 
fancied that he detected 
two of his soldiers spying 
upon him through the 
foliage- 

Thereupon he unsheath- 
ed his sword, making a 
faint of killing Montaner, 
and dragged him into the 
depth of a ravine, where 
he said, to him: ‘‘If you 
would save your own life 
and Almodia’s, escape 
with a 1 1 possible haste 
from the Count’s dom- 
ains.” 


So 


OF GOD 


Without further explan- 
ation he hurried to rejoin 
his guard. 

Montaner although he 
did not know by whom 
the warning was given, 
resolved to heed it; and 
rejoined the army as the 
unknown cavalier when 
Count Guillen departed 
for the Holy Land. 

Ramon, after having 
assured Lanuza, of his 
rival death, was desirous 
of informing Almodia of 
the true state of affairs; 
but no opportunity pre- 

8i 


THE JUDGMENT 


sented itself until the night 
of the storm, when he fol- 
lowed her to the ruins on 
the way to the Convent 
and rescued Almodia and 
Ines from their prison, 
after the destruction o f 
the arch. 

As soon a s the two 
young women had recov- 
ered sufficiently from the 
shock, Almodia, having 
learned all, entreated Ra- 
mon to accompany them 
as far as the Convent of 
Villasegol, where she re- 
mained until her father’s 


82 


OF GOD 


return from Palestine. 

Ramon recognized 
Montaner upon the battle- 
field, despite the disguise 
of his armor, but fearing 
his anger, presented him- 
self before his master in 
full armor, with the myst- 
erious letter imposing up- 
on him the condition of 
silence until the conclus- 
ion of his narrative. 

Ramon’s fidelity was 
rewarded by a place of 
distinction in the army; 
and he continued to be 
Montaner’s trusted friend. 


83 


THE JUDGMENT 


The valiant Strausberg, a 
friend of the young gen- 
eral whom he so closely 
resembled, perished in the 
assault upon the walls of 
Jerusalem. 


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